Number games and word games

ABSTRACT

A number game in which the object is to match a player&#39;s score to a target number, including a playing surface with a plurality of numbers therein and operators on the outside of the playing surface which includes at least one moveable playing piece. Whenever a playing piece is moved to one of the numbers on the playing surface, the player&#39;s score is changed based on that number and according to the mathematical function of the operator towards which the playing piece was moved. One embodiment of the invention is a word game in which each of the numbers on the playing surface has an associated letter. Movement of the playing piece from number to number in this version of the game necessarily also means movement of the playing piece to the number&#39;s associated letter. Each single play consists of a single continuous movement of the playing piece from letter to letter in an attempt to form a word. A temporary score is tabulated for each single play. When the single play results in a valid word being formed, the temporary score is added to the player&#39;s score.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to number games and word games. Morespecifically, this invention relates to number and word games whoseobject is to reach a target score.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The object of most number games and word games is for a player toaccumulate the most points or the most words.

There are very few number games for those with mathematical skills.

BOGGLE™, and RUZZLE™ are well known examples of word games. These gamesare fun for all, unless two competitors are not evenly matched. If oneplayer has a superior knowledge of words or superior abilities ofspatial recognition, he is more inclined to accumulate the most words orpoints and win most matches. Often times, a player with a talent forword play does not also have mathematical skills. Similarly, a playerwith less talent for word play often has superior mathematical skills.

Advertisements are not currently part of number games and word games.When advertisements are used in conjunction with such games, they arespatially separated from the game and hardly ever viewed by the player.

There is a need for a number game for players with a talent for math.

There is a need for a word game for players with less talent for wordplay, but superior math skills, to be able to compete with playershaving superior word play skills.

There is a need for a game in which advertisements can become anintegral part of the game, in which the ads can change during the game,and prizes and coupons can be won during the game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This is a number game in which the object is to match a player's scoreto a target number. It consists of a playing surface with a plurality ofnumbers therein and operators on the outside of the playing surface. Itincludes at least one moveable playing piece. Whenever a playing pieceis moved to one of the numbers on the playing surface, the player'sscore is changed based on the that number and according to themathematical function of the operator towards which the playing piecewas moved.

In some preferred embodiments, the operators are placed at the edges ofthe playing surface, thus allowing for horizontal and vertical play ofthe playing piece(s). In other preferred embodiments operators are alsoplaced at the corners of the playing surface, thus allowing for diagonalplay of the playing piece(s). It should be readily apparent that eitheror both placement of operators could be available in all embodiments.

In the preferred embodiments, the mathematical functions of theoperators include addition and subtraction. However, it should bereadily apparent that any mathematical function including, but notlimited to, multiplication and division could also be used as operators.

The playing surface can also include roadblocks onto which playingpiece(s) may not be moved, advertisements, prizes, and instructions forchanging any or all elements of the playing surface.

One embodiment of the invention is a word game in which each of thenumbers on the playing surface has an associated letter. Movement of theplaying piece from number to number, in this version of the game,necessarily also means movement of the playing piece to the number'sassociated letter. Each single play consists of a single continuousmovement of the playing piece from letter to letter in an attempt toform a word. temporary score is tabulated for each single play. When thesingle play results in a valid word being formed, the temporary score isadded to the player's score.

Means for moving the playing piece(s), changing the numbers, changingthe elements of the playing surface, changing the score, tracking theletters of the attempted word, determining whether a valid word isformed, and tracking temporary scores, are all accomplished in thecomputer versions of this invention by well known programmingtechniques. In a live version of the game, these means may be providedby a combination of well known mechanical, computer, human, and materialelements as more fully set forth below.

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing outand distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as theinvention, it is believed that the invention, the objects and featuresof the invention, and further objects, features, and advantages thereofwill be better understood from the following description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A through 1D are front views of one embodiment of the game atfirst, second, third and fourth points in time showing the progressionof the game as it is played.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the same embodiment depicted in FIG. 1 showinginstruction squares, advertising squares and a roadblock.

FIG. 3 is a front view of an alternative embodiment showing threeplaying pieces.

FIG. 4 is a front view of an alternative embodiment showing one playingpiece, a timer and a move counter.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are front views of an alternative embodiment showing apuzzle in FIG. 5A and the solution to that puzzle in 5B.

FIG. 6 is a front view of an alternative embodiment that allows diagonalplay.

FIG. 7 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the game.

FIGS. 8A through 8D are front views of an embodiment of the word playversion of the game at first, second, third and fourth points in timeshowing the progression of the game as it is played.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the invention, variouspreferred embodiments are described in order to provide a full andcomplete understanding of the invention and its preferred embodiments.It will be recognized that although specific terms arc employed, theseare employed in the descriptive and not in the generic sense, and itwill be understood that the invention is susceptible to numerous andvarious alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as will be apparentto those skilled in the relevant art.

The preferred embodiment shown in the FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, and detailedhereinafter, describes a computer version of the game known as, andpublished under, the UDA trademark.

Game and Object of Game

As shown in FIG. 1, this embodiment of the game includes a grid ofnumbers 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 41,42, 43, 44, 45, 51, 52, 53, 54, and 55, arranged in columns and rows.Each number is contained in a square. It should be readily apparent thatthe shape of the number container is unimportant and that, in fact, nocontainer is necessary. The playing surface consists of these 25 squaresand the numbers therein.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, there arc five rows and five columns ofnumbers. It should be readily apparent that this game can be playedusing any number of rows and any number of columns. In fact, as seen inanother embodiment, rows and columns are also unnecessary.

The player score is displayed in two places in this embodiment. It isshown on playing piece 71 and on player score display 72. As the gameprogresses, as discussed below, the score changes from fifty-eight inFIG. 1A to sixty-five in FIG. 1B to sixty-two in FIG. 1C to sixty-sevenin FIG. 1D. There is no necessity for the player score to be displayedin two places.

The target score is displayed on target score display 75. The targetscore is eighty-nine.

Four mathematical functions, or operators, are displayed near the edgesof the playing surface. A minus sign 61 is displayed to the left of theplaying surface and plus signs 62, 63, and 64 are displayed near thetop, right and bottom edges of the playing surface.

Numbers 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 41,42, 43, 44, 45, 51, 52, 53, 54, and 55, target number 75, player score72, and operators 61, 62, 63 and 64 may each be randomly selected orpre-selected at the start of the game.

The object of the game is to match the player score to the targetnumber. At the stage of the game shown in FIG. 1A, player score isfifty-eight and the target number is eighty-nine. The playing piece sitson square 32.

In this embodiment, the player may move his piece to an adjacent squareabove, below, to the left or to the right of the square in which hesits. Thus he may move up to square 22, to the right to square 33, downto square 42, or to the left to square 31. If he moves up to square 22,he will be moving onto a one and toward the plus sign of operator 62.The result would be to add one to his score. If he moves right to square33, he will be moving onto a four and toward the plus sign of operator63. The result would he to add four to his score. If he moves left tosquare 31, he will be moving onto a five and toward the minus sign ofoperator 64. The result would be to subtract five from his score. Themeans for moving the playing piece in this computer version of the gameis through well known programming.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the player decided to move his piece 71 down fromsquare 32 to square 42. Since he moved onto the seven that was in square42 and toward the plus sign of operator 64, seven points are added tohis score 72. Thus, the player score 71, 72 is changed from fifty-eightin FIG. 1A to sixty-five in FIG. 1B.

The next move, as shown in FIG. 1C, the player moves his piece 71 leftfrom square 42 to square 41. Since he moved onto the three that was insquare 41 and toward the minus sign of operator 61, three points aresubtracted from his score 71, 72. Thus, the player score 71, 72 ischanged from sixty-five in FIG. 1B, to sixty-two in FIG. 1C.

Finally, as shown in FIG. 1D, the player moves his piece 71 up fromsquare 41 to square 31. Since he moved onto the five that was in square31 and toward the plus sign of operator 62, five points are added fromhis score 71, 72. Thus, the player score 71, 72 is changed fromsixty-two in FIG. 1C. to sixty-seven in FIG. 1B.

It should be noticed that the number displayed in square 42 changed froma seven in FIG. 1A to a four in FIG. 1C. Also, the number displayed insquare 41 changed from a three in FIGS. 1A and 1B to a one in FIG. 1D.The means for accomplishing this change in this computer version of thegame is through well known programming. As the playing piece leaves asquare a new random number appears in that square. The new number may ormay not be the same as the old number that was in that square before theplaying piece covered it. In this way, the numbers on the playingsurface are constantly changing.

Along with numbers, squares can also be occupied with instructions,advertisements and roadblocks as shown in FIG. 2. Instruction squares81, 83, 85, 87 and 89 provide further means to dramatically change theplaying surface. When playing piece 71 is moved to instruction square81, the target number 75 is changed from its current number to anothernumber. When playing piece 71 is moved to instruction square 83, anoperator 61, 62, 63, 64 is changed from its current mathematicalfunction to a different mathematical function. When playing piece 71 ismoved to instruction square 85, the player score 71, 75 is changed fromits current number to a new number. When playing piece 71 is moved toinstruction square 87, all of the other squares on the playing surfaceare changed from the current set of numbers, instructions, prizes,advertisements and roadblocks to a new set of numbers, instructions,advertisements and roadblocks. When playing piece 71 is moved toinstruction square 89, playing piece 71 is moved to a different squareon the playing surface. All of the aforesaid movements and changes areaccomplished in this computer version of the game by well knownprogramming techniques.

Prize square 93 displays a prize, in this case a 2-for-1 coupon, thatwill be allocated to the player upon moving to the square. In additionto being a prize, square 93 is also an advertisement from the companyproviding the coupon. Another advertisement is seen on roadblock square91. In this case, playing piece may not be moved onto roadblock 91. Ifthe player wants to reach square 87 from its current position, he needsto make four moves instead of just two moves that would have beennecessary if he could have moved onto square 87. In both thesesituations, the dynamics of the game has changed in a way that forcesthe player to engage more directly and actively with the advertisingmaterial displayed on the advertising squares, prize squares androadblocks.

In the FIG. 2 embodiment, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, as theplaying piece leaves a square a new random number, advertisement,instruction, prize or roadblock appears in that square. The new contentof the square may or may not be the same as the old content that was inthat square before the playing piece covered it. In this way, theplaying surface is constantly changing. All such changes are madethrough well known programming techniques.

In FIG. 3, three playing pieces 71, 73 and 74 are shown playing the samegame at the same time. Each player may take turns moving one at a time.Multiple players add a different element to the game as each player muchstrategize their movement depending on the location of the opposingplaying pieces, because each opposing piece acts as a roadblock denyingentry onto the square that is occupied. Any number of playing pieces areallowed, depending on the size of the playing surface and the number ofsquares thereon. It is well known that multiple players can play thesame game on the same monitor or on different monitors through wifi orover the internet. This multi-player version can also contain theinstruction, advertising, prize and roadblock squares previouslydiscussed.

A solitaire version of the game is shown in FIG. 4 in which a timer 95and/or a move counter 97 is displayed to keep track of the time it takesand/or the number of moves it takes for the player to reach the goal ofmatching his score 71 to the target number. This solitaire version canalso be played over wifi or the internet. In this way, a player can bepresented with the same playing surface as other players and compete forthe fastest times to complete the puzzle or the least number of moves tocomplete the game. Also, this version may contain the instruction,advertising, prize and roadblock squares previously discussed.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show another embodiment showing an unsolved puzzle inFIG. 5A and a solution to the same puzzle in 5B. The player score beginswith zero as shown on playing piece 71 and the object of the puzzle is,as shown, to reach the target number nineteen in five moves. Thesolution is to move playing piece 71 from square 22 to square 23 tosquare 24 to square 34 to square 44 and to square 43. Following alongpath 99, it should be apparent that zero plus five plus nine plus 1 plussix minus 2 equals nineteen. And thus the goal of matching the targetnumber is accomplished in the five moves required. Path 99 can beachieved by using a pointing device on a computer or a finger on atablet, just as in all previous embodiments.

In a paper version of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, path 99can be made using a pen or pencil. In the paper version, the playingpiece is defined as movable in that it is easily visualized as movingalong path 99. Similarly, scoring means are defined as the computationthat is easily made by the player because of the simplicity of thecalculations needed.

FIG. 6 is another embodiment showing new operators 65, 66, 67, 68outside the four corners of the playing surface, along with operators61, 62, 63, 64 at the outside edges of the playing surface. Newoperators 65, 66, 67, 68 allow for diagonal moves, as should be readilyapparent.

FIG. 7 is another embodiment showing numbers 201, 203, 205, 207, 209,211, 213, 215, 217, 219, 221, 223, 225, 227, 229, 231, 235, 237, and 239spread out on playing surface 250. Target number 275 and operators 261,262, 263, 264 are situated similarly to previous embodiments. The playerscore, sixty-two, is shown on circular playing piece 271. In thiscomputer version of the game, playing piece 271 is a virtual ball thatcan be rolled into the numbers. As in previous embodiments, the playerscore is changed according to the number into which ball 271 is rolledand according to the direction it is rolling when it strikes the number.In the example shown, the number is subtracted from the player score ifit is moving to the left, and added to the player score if it is movingup, down or to the right when it strikes the number. Rolling a virtualball is accomplished by well known hardware and programming technologyavailable in portable devices such as the iPad and iPod.

It should be noted that all of the embodiments discussed as computerversions of the game can also be accomplished by live action players ona flat playing surface. A person can be substituted for a playing piece.Individual monitors or simple cardboard squares (or similar material)can he substituted for the computerized squares that contain thenumbers, instructions, advertising, prizes and roadblocks. Theoperators, target score, and player score are easily displayed bymechanical or other visual means. The person can simply step on themonitors or cardboard squares as he walks around the playing surface.New cardboard squares can easily replace old cardboard squares as theplayer steps off the old cardboard squares. If monitors are used insteadof cardboard squares, the monitors can be easily display new squares asthe player steps off the monitor. In this way, a large crowd can watchthe game being played or video cameras can follow the progress of thegame, as in a game show type format.

FIGS. 8A through 8D show another preferred embodiment of the gameinvolving word play. In this version, each square of the playing surfacecontains a letter along with a number. The object of this game istwo-fold. Similar to previous versions, the ultimate goal is to matchthe player score 172 to the target number 175. However, points can onlybe accumulated by forming words.

This embodiment of FIG. 8 presumes the use of a tablet device such as aniPad in which a finger is used as the playing piece. A single playstarts with the finger touching one of the squares on the playingsurface and continues as the finger is moved from square to square untilthe finger is released from touching the iPad. A temporary score 180 istabulated during the single play and, if a valid word is formed duringthe single play, the temporary score is added to the player score 172.Play is continued in this fashion until player score 172 matches thetarget number 175.

FIGS. 8A through 8D show the formation of the word N-A-G-S during asingle play of four moves, and the resultant temporary score of (−1)being added to the player score. The single play starts in 8A with aplayer placing his finger 171 (playing piece) on square 135, whichcontains the letter N and is worth one point. The temporary score 180starts with one because the letter N in square 135 is worth one point.FIG. 8B shows finger 171 moved down to square 145, which contains theletter A and is worth one point. One point is added to temporary score180 because square 145 was worth one point and finger 171 was movedtowards the plus sign of operator 164. FIG. 8C shows finger 171 movedleft to square 144, which contains the letter G and is worth two points.Two points are subtracted from temporary score 180 because square 144was worth two points and finger 171 was moved towards the minus sign ofoperator 161. Finally, as shown in FIG. 8D, finger 171 is moved left tosquare 143, which contains the letter S and is worth one point. Onepoint is subtracted from temporary score 180 because square 143 wasworth one points and finger 171 was moved towards the minus sign ofoperator 161. Finger 171 is then lifted from the screen and the singleplay is over. The word N-A-G-S is then determined, by well knownprogramming means, to be a valid word and the temp score of −1 is addedto player score 172.

Another example of a word that could be formed in FIG. 8 is the wordE-X-H-O-R-T. This word would start by pressing finger 171 on the E insquare 151 and then moving to the X in square 141, the H in square 131,the O in square 132, the R in square 133, the T in square 133, and thenlifting finger 171 from the screen. This word would accumulate one,eight, four, one, one, and one points; and all these sixteen pointswould be added temporary score because all finger movement was towardsthe plus signs of either operators 162 or 163; and these points would beadded to player score because EXHORT is a valid word.

It should be readily seen that diagonal play could easily be allowed inthe word play embodiment, if desired, by simply adding operators at theoutside corners of the playing surface. If such were the case, it shouldbe noted that the word E-X-H-O-R-T-I-N-G could be played by simplyextending the single play for E-XH-O-R-T to squares 125, 135 and 144.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Allchanges and modifications thereof, not constituting departures from thespirit and scope of the invention, are intended to be included.

What is claimed:
 1. A game, the object of which is to match a player'sscore to a target number, comprising: a target displaying a targetnumber, scoring means for displaying at least one player's score, aplaying surface consisting of a plurality of numbers, a first operatordisplayed to the right of said playing surface, a second operatordisplayed to the left of said playing surface, a third operatordisplayed at the top of said playing surface, a fourth operatordisplayed at the bottom of said playing surface, at least one moveableplaying piece, and scoring means for changing said player's score assaid playing piece is moved dependent on the number to which it is movedand the mathematical function of the operator towards which it is moved.2. The game of claim 1 further comprising: said plurality of numbersbeing arranged in columns and rows
 3. The game of claim 1 furthercomprising: said playing surface having at least one instruction squareonto which said playing piece may be moved.
 4. The game of claim 3further comprising: said instruction square having an instruction thatone of said playing pieces be moved to another location on said playingsurface, means for moving one of said playing pieces according to saidinstruction when said instruction square is occupied.
 5. The game ofclaim 3 further comprising: said instruction square having aninstruction that one or more of said operators be changed, means forchanging one or more of said operators according to said instructionwhen said instruction square is occupied.
 6. The game of claim 3 furthercomprising: said instruction square having an instruction that one ormore of said scores be changed, means for changing one or more of saidscores according to said instruction when said instruction square isoccupied.
 7. The game of claim 3 further comprising: said instructionsquare having an instruction that said target number be changed, meansfor changing said target number according to said instruction when saidinstruction square is occupied.
 8. The game of claim 3 furthercomprising: said instruction square having an instruction that saidnumbers on said playing surface be changed, means for changing saidnumbers according to said instruction when said instruction square isoccupied.
 9. The game of claim 3 further comprising: said instructionsquare having an instruction that all instruction squares on saidplaying surface be changed, means for changing said instruction squaresaccording to said instruction when said instruction square is occupied.10. The game of claim 1 further comprising: said playing surface havingat least one prize square onto which said playing piece may be moved,said prize square identifying a prize, wherein a player is allocatedsaid prize when his playing piece occupies said prize square.
 11. Thegame of claim 1 further comprising: said playing surface havingadvertising squares onto which said playing piece may be moved, saidadvertising squares displaying an advertisement for a product orservice.
 12. The game of claim 11 further comprising: said advertisingsquare also containing an instruction.
 13. The game of claim 11 furthercomprising: said advertising square also containing a prize.
 14. thegame of claim 11 further comprising: said advertising square alsodisplaying a number.
 15. The game of claim 1 further comprising: saidplaying surface having roadblocks onto which said playing piece may notbe moved, wherein a player is required to make additional moves to goaround said roadblock to reach a desired spot on said playing surface.16. The game of claim 15 further comprising said roadblock displaying anadvertisement for a product or service.
 17. The game of claim 1 furthercomprising: a timer to time the amount of time it takes for a player'sscore to match the target number.
 18. The game of claim 1 furthercomprising: a move counter to count the number of moves it takes for aplayer's score to match the target number.
 19. The game of claim 1further comprising: a fifth operator displayed near the top right cornerof said playing surface; a sixth operator displayed near the bottomright corner of said playing surface; a seventh operator displayed nearthe top left corner of said playing surface; an eighth operatordisplayed near the bottom left corner of said playing surface;
 20. game,the object of which is to match a player's score to a target number,comprising: a target displaying a target number, scoring means fordisplaying at least one player's score, a playing surface consisting ofa plurality of letters, each of said letters having an associated numberin very close visual proximity thereto, a first operator displayed tothe right of said playing surface, a second operator displayed to theleft of said playing surface, a third operator displayed at the top ofsaid playing surface, a fourth operator displayed at the bottom of saidplaying surface, at least one moveable playing piece, word trackingmeans for keeping track of the letters to which said playing piece ismoved and the order in which said associated letters arc accumulatedduring a single play, word totaling means for changing said player'stemporary score during a single play as said playing piece is moveddependent on the number to which it is moved and the mathematicalfunction of the operator towards which it is moved, word detection meansfor determining whether the accumulated letters during said single playrepresent a valid word, scoring means for changing said player's scoreby the amount of said temporary score whenever said single play iscompleted and a valid word is detected by said word detection means.